Lubricating system.



R. C. MITCHELL.

LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

APPLILATION FILED PEB, 16. 1914.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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Reg/mond @ttor/11435 R. C. MITCHELL.

LUBRIGTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED Emme', 1914.

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LUBHICATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 111116.19111.

1,1 1 9, 102. l Patented Deo. 1,1914.

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RAYMOND C. MITCHELL, F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application led February 16, 1914. Serial No. 818.823.

. and useful Improvements in Lubricating Systems, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had `therein to the accompanyingdrawing.

This invention relates to lubricating systems for internal combustionengines.

The. object of thevinvention is to provide a circulation of oil whichwill adequately lubricate the various parts of the engine withoutattention on the part of the opera- .-tor; and further, to provide sucha system which will lubricate the cam operated valve actuating devicesforminga part of certain types of engines.

It is also an object of the invention to provide -such a lubricatingsystem which will add very little to the cost of construction andup-keep of the engine; and which will be simple in its construction,requiring .the addition of very few parts tothe engine asordinarilyconstructed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1l is' a side elevation,'partly insection, of an engine embodying ymy invention; Fig. 2 is a top, planview of suoli an engine with the top plate or closure removed; Fig. 3 isa sectional view taken on the 'lineA ai a- -of Fig. 2 and looking'in thedirection of the arrows; and Fig. itis a detail View of the valveoperating cams. `In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment dfmIy invention and have shown the same as applied to an engine of thetype shown and described in Patent No. 1,076,903,

granted October 28th, 1913, to Mitchell and Neer and Patent No.1,065,619, grantedto me June v24th, 1913, but it will be understood thatthe invention is not limited to engines of this particular type.

Inasmuch as the construction and operaA tion of the engine proper doesnot form a part of the present invention I have :described only so muchthereof as is necessary to an understanding of the'invention. f

As shown inthe -drawings of the present application. the enginecomprises a body portion or casing 1, in which. are formed a pluralityof cylinders 2, each cylinder hav-n ing mounted therein a piston 3 whichis connected by means of a piston rod 4 with" a crank shaft 5 j ournaledin bearings 6 and' inclosed in a crank casing 7. Each cylinder isprovided with inlet and exhaust ports 3 and 9, respectively, these portsbeing controlled by valves 10 and 11, the stems of which extend upwardabove the ends of the cylinders. These valves are positively opened andclosed by means of valve actuating devices, each of which comprises abell crank lever 12 pivotally mounted on the body of the engine, asshown at 13, and having one arm connected with the stem of the valvewhich it is to operate, as shown at 14, and having its other endprovided with a projection or pin 15 arranged to enter the peripheralcam groove 16 of a cam 17 which is rotatably mounted adjacent to the endof the cylinder. In the preferred construction, as here shown, a singlecam serves to operate the two valves of the same cylinder and the camsfor actuating the valves of adjacent cylinders are preferably arrangedin pairs but this construction is optional. The cams may be supportedand operated in any suitable manner, but as here shownthe several camsare mounted on a shaft 18 which extends lengthwise of the engine, and isjournaled at its opposite ends in bearings 19 and 20. The cam shaft ispositively driven from the engineer crank shaft 5 and to accomplish thisone end of the shaft 18 projects beyond the bearing 20 and has securedthereto a worm gear 21 which meshes with a cor- .responding gear 22 onthe upper end of a vertical shaft 23, which is journaled in bearings 24and 25 mounted on the end of the engine. Secured to the lower end of theA shaft 23 is a worm gear 26 meshing ywith a corresponding gear 27connected with the engine shaft 5.

So much of the construction of the engine as has been describedis'substantially that shown in the patents mentioned and has beenmodified but littleto accommodate it to the present invention. In orderthat the valve-actuating mechanism, including the bearings for theshaftacams and valve actuating levers, may be properly lubricated I haveprovided means whereby the cams may be caused to run partially submergedin a bath of oil. Thus not only are the active parts of the cams and ofthe levers engaging the cams amply lubricated but the rotation of thecams causes the oil to be thrown or splashed over the other moving partsso that all bearing surfaces are lubricated.

Ordinarily the movement of the cams themselves will cause a sufficientlubrication ofI the parts but if desired the cams may be provided withprojections or splashers, asv

stances may dictate, but in the present em-` bodiment of the invention Ilhave so constructed the top ofthe body portion or casing 1 of theengine as to provide therein oil receptacles 28 adjacent to the cams andso:

arranged that the lower portions of the cams will extend into therespective receptacles and this portion of each cam, together with theend of the lever which engages the same will be immersed in the oil inits receptacle.

AI t will be noted that the arrangement of the oil receptacle is suolithat a water jacket 52 is interposed between the same and the cylinder,thereby preventing the undue heating of the oil. i

v of the receptacles.

In the present construction of the engine where there are two pairs oftwin cams I have provided two receptacles which are of a widthsufficient to receive both cams and are arranged adjacent to thebearings 19 and 20,r respectively. The two oil receptacles 28 areconnected one with the other by means of a conduit 29 extendinglongitudinally of the engine and of less depth than the depth The oil isdelivered to the receptacles by means of a pipe or conduit 30 leadingfrom a pump 31 to the upper portion of the engine where it discharges,as shown at 32, on top of the engine casing and preferably into ashallow conduit 33 which delivers the oil to. the longitudinal passageor conduit 29 and this in turn to the receptacles 28. The valveactuating devices are, of course, inclosed by means of a lid or closure33a so that the oil is confined to the engine and not scattered overadjacent objects. The oil which is splashed out of the receptacles bythe movement of the cams settles back to the top of the engine casingand runs back into the receptacles or some of the conduits. 'The oilalso escapes from the receptacles through the bearings 19 and 20, thelower portions of which are beneath the upper level of the receptaclesor wells and The oil which works its way through the bearing 19, entersa conduit or passageway 34 at the end of the engine casingj and isreturned tothe receptacle, but the oil which works its way Y through thebearing 2O enters a casing 35 which incloses the worm gears 21 and 22.This casing has a depressed portion, as shown at 36, which serves toretain a quantity of the oilthereinand cause the lower portion of thegear 2 1 toruninan oil bath. The oil passes from .thecasingither aboutthe outside of the bearing 24.01 is conveyed along the gears 21 and 22to the shaft 23and through the bearing 24. In either instance it passesdown alongthe shaft 23 within a V39 whichy incloses the bearing and thegear 26. A gear 39a is also lmounted on the shaft 23 within the casingand serves to operate an auxiliary part of the engine, such as a waterpump. The oil passes over or through these gears in the course of itspassage to the well 38. The lower portion of the casing 39 is providedwith a bearing 40 in which is journaled a vertical shaft 41 connectedwith thelower end of the shaft 23 by a tongue and groove connection, asshown at 42, and connected at its lower end with the operative part ofthe pump 31. This pump is here shown as a rotary pump of a knownconstruction and is inclosed within a easing comprising a bottom wall 43which may be removed and when removed will permit the ready removal ofthe operative element of the pump andthe shaft 41. A branch pipe 44extends from the pipe 30 into the crank casing 7 and is connected with adistributing pipe or manifold 45 which has aseries of-openings 46arranged to discharge the oil intoreceptacles or troughs mounted on anautomobile which is climbing a hill. Each trough 47 isprovided with anoverflow port 49 which discharges the surplus oil into a depressed lowerportion of the casing which forms a well, as shown at i 50. A pipe orconduit 51 leads from this well to the pump 31 so that the oil is drawnfrom the well by the pump and againplaced in circulation. In this mannerit will be apparent that the oil is maintained in constant circulationand is caused to come in contact with and lubricate the various movingparts of the engine, this being accomplished without any action on thepart of.

the operator. Further, it will be noted that the construction is suchthat very few parts Iare added to the engine Iand these are of such acharacter-and so arranged as to be incon spicuous and. out of the way.Theoil is caused to travelv along- ;conduits. formed either by casingsandpartslof theengine or formed in these parts,i.where they `did 4.notfprmerly existia This notf'f'only v'simplies the construction of theengine but also brings the oil into contact with the bearings and otherparts which are in frictional engagement.

I/Vliile I have shown and described one embodiment of the invention itwill be understood that this has been chosen for the purposes .ofillustration only and that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsof construction shown and described, for obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. For example, the cam shaft can bedriven in other ways than by the bevel gears and vertical shaft, theessential feature being a drive connection between this shaft and theengine shaft and this drive connection, whatever its character, could beinclosed in a suitable casing which would have a conduit for the oil insubstantially the same manner as does the connection here shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an engine, the combination, with a cylinder having a port, a valveto control said port, a valve-actuating device, and a cam to operatesaid valve-actuating device, of an oil receptacleysupported adjacent tosaid cam and so arranged that a portion of saidjcam is immersed in theoil therein, thereby lubricating the cam and causing it to throw oil onsaid valve-actuating device to oil the same.

2. In an engine, the combination, with a cylinder having a port, a valveto control said port, a valve-actuating device, and a cam to operatesaid'valve-actuating device, of an' oil receptacle carried by saidengine adjacent to said cam and so arranged that a portion of saidcam'is immersed in the oil therein, thereby lubricating the cam andcausing it to throw oil on said valve-actuating device to oil the same,and-a water jacket interposed between said receptacle and' saidcylinder. I

3. In an engine, the combination, with a cylinder having a port, a valveto control said port, a valve-actuating device, and a cam to operatesaid valve-actuating device, of an oil receptacle supported adjacent tosaid cam and so arranged that a portion of said cam is immersed in theoil therein, thereby lubricating the cam and causing it totlirow oil onsaid valve-actuating device to oil the same, a pump to deliver oil tosaid v receptacle, and means to return the oil from said receptacle tosaid pump whereby a constant circulation of oil is maintained.

4. In an engine, der in said casing having a port, a valve to controlsaid port, a valve-actuating device mounted on said casing and connectedwith said'valve, a cam rotatably mounted onsaid casing and operativelyconnected with said ally mounted an engine casing, a cylin-4valve-actuating device, the top of said casing having a depressiontherein adjacent to said cam to form ankoil receptacle into which aportion of said cam extends.

5. In an engine, an engine casing having a top provided with adepression to form an oil receptacle, a cylinder having a port, avalveto control said port, a valve-actuating device comprising a bell cranklever pivoton the top of said casing and having one armconnected to saidValve, a cam rotatably mounted on top of said casing and extending intosaid oil receptacle, said cam being Lin operative engagement with theother arm of said bell crank lever.

6. In an engine, a top provided with a depression to form an oilreceptacle, a cylinder having a port, a valve to control said port, avalve-actuating device comprising a bell crank lever pivotally mountedon the top of said casing and having one arm connected to said valve, acam rotatably lmounted on top of said casing and extending into said oilreceptacle, said cam being in operative engagement with the other arm ofsaid bell crank lever, the top of said casing being spaced away from theadjacent portion of said cylinder. An engine comprising a plurality ofcylinders each having a port, a valve to control each of said ports,valve-actuating devices for said valves, a shaft extending lengthwise ofsaid engine, cams mounted on said shaft to operate said valve-actuatingdevices, and a plurality of oil receptacles arranged along said shaftadjacent tothe re spective cams and so positioned that said cams extendinto the respective receptacles. .8. In an engine, a casing having itstop wall provided with depressions to form oil tions of said valves andvalve-actuating devices being immersed in the oil in the respectivereceptacles.

9. In an engine, a casing having its top wall provided with depressionsto form oil receptacles, a plurality of cylinders in said casing, eachhaving a port, valves to control the vrespective ports, actuatingdevices for said valves mounted on the top of said casing, a shaftjournaled on. the top of said casing, cams mounted on said shaftadjacent to the 'respective oil receptacles and in operative engagementwith the respective. valveactuating devices, the engaging portions ofsaid valves and valve-actuating vdevices being immersed in the oil inthe respective receptacles, and splashers carried by said cams.

10. In an engine, a cylinder having a port, a valve therefor, and anactuating device, for said' valve, a piston mounted in said cylinder, anengine shaft connected with said piston, an oil receptacle carried bysaidy engine\ near the end of said cylinder, bearings formed on saidengine on opposite sides of said receptacle, a shaft journaled in saidbearings, (a .cam carried by said shaft eX- tending into said receptacleand in operative engagement with said valve-actuating device, a pump todeliver oil to said receptacle,

vertical bearings at the end of said engine,

a shaft journaled in said bearings, means connecting the opposite endsof said shaft .With'said cam shaft and said engine shaft, respectively,and means to convey the oil from said receptacle to saidpump and causeit to come in contacty With said bearings and said connecting meansWhile it is being so conveyed. l v

11. In an engine, a plurality of cylinders, pistons mounted in saidcylinders, an engine shaft connected with said pistons, each cylinderhaving a port, valves to control the respective ports, actuating devicesfor said valves, a shaft journaled on said engine; cams carried by saidshaft and in operative engagement With-the respective valvefactu` atingdevices, a vertical shaft arranged .at

one end of said engine and geared at its op-- Lposite ends to said camshaft and said en'- 'gine shaft, respectively, oil receptacles ai'-ranged adjacent to the respective cams and adapted to receive portionsof these cams, casings communicating With said receptacles and inclosingsaid ve tical shaft and the gears therefor, said ca ings forming yaconduit for said oil, a pump communicating with the conduit so formed,and another conduit to deliver the oil from said pump to saidreceptacles.

12. In an engine, a body portion i'ovided in its top Wall With aplurality o depressions forming receptacles, a plurality of cylinderseach having a port, pistons mount ed in said cylinders, an engine lshaftconnected with said pistons, valves to control the respective ports,actuating devices for said vaives on the body portion of said engine,bearings at the opposite ends of said body portion Ihav/ing their endscommunieating with the adjacent receptacles, a shaft journaled in saidbearings, cams mounted on said shaft to operatively engage therespective valve actuating devices, portions of said cams being immersedin the oil in the respective receptacles to deliver oil to saidreceptacles, vertical bearings at one end of said body portion, a shaftjournaled in said bearings, gearing connecting the opposite ends' ofsaid vertical shaft with said cam shaft and said engine shaft,respectively/a casing linclosing the gearing at the, upper end of saidvertical shaft and communicatingv With the adj acentbearing for said camshaft to receive the oil which passes through said bearing, said casinghaving a depressed portion to receive the o ill and into Which one ofsaid gears extends, other casings inclosing saidV shaft and saidbearings, the lower-y most of said casings forming a well to receive theoil Which passes through the other casings, and a connection betweensaid Well and said pump.

13. In an engine, a body portionprovided in itstopwall with a pluralityof depressions forining receptacles, a plurality of cylinders eachhaving a port, pistons mounted in said cylinders, an engine shaftconnected with said pistons, valves to control the respective ports,actuating devices for said valves mounted on the body portionjof saidengine, bearings at the opposite ends of said body portion having theirends communieating with the adjacent receptacles, a shaft journaled insaid bearings, cams mounted on said shaft to pperatively engage therespective. valve actuating devices, portions of'y said cams beingimmersedin the oil in the respective receptacles todeliver oil to .saidreceptacles, vertical bearings at one endL of said body portion, a shaftIjournaled in said bearings, gearing connecting the opposite ends lofsaid vertical shaft With said cam shaft and said engine shaft,respectively, a casing inclosing the gearing at the upper 'endof saidvertical shaft and communicatcasings, said loWermost casing having abearing arranged in alinenient With said veitical shaft, a shaft mountedin said bearing having its inner end detachably connected with saidvertical shaft and its outer end connected with the operative end ofsaid Pump i,

14. In an engine, a body portion provided in its top Wall with aplurality of depres-4 sions for-ming receptacles, a plurality ofcylinders each having a port, pistons mounted in said cylinders, anengine shaft connected With said pistons, valves to control the`respective ports, actuating devicesl for said valves on the body portionof. said engine, bearings at the opposite ends of said bodyl portion andhaving their ends communicating with the adjacent receptacles, a shaftjournaledin said bearings, cams mounted on said shaft to op-l erativelyengage the respective valve actuating deviees,.portions of said camsbeing with said pistons,

immersed in the oil in the respective receptacles to deliver oil to saidreceptacles, vertical bearings at one end of said body portion, a shaftjournaled in said bearings, gearing connecting the opposite ends of saidvertical shaft with said cam shaft and said engine shaft, respectively,a casing inclosing the gearing at the upper end of said vertical shaftand communicating with the adjacent bearing for said camshaft to receivethe oil which passes through said bearing, said casing having adepressed portion -to receive-the oil and into which one of said gearsextends, other casings inclosing said shaft and said said casingsforming a well to receive the oil which passes through the othercasings,

said lowermost casing having a bearing arranged in alinement with saidvertical shaft, ashaft mounted in said bearing having its inner enddetachably connected with said vertical shaft andits outer end connectedwith the operative end of said pump, and detachable means for holdingsaid'last-mentioned shaft against longitudinal movement.

15. In an engine, a body portion having a plurality of receptacles inthe upper portion thereof, cylinders having ports, valves to control therespective ports, actuating devices for said valves, a cam shaftjournaled on said body portion, cams mounted on said cam shaft,extending into said receptacles and in engagement with the respectivevalve-actuating devices, pistons mounted in said cylinders, an engineshaft .connected a crank casing inclosing said engine shaft and havingreceptacles in the lower portion thereof, splashers connected withsaidcrank shaft and adapted to enter the respective receptacles and lift theoil therefrom, a connection between said engine shaft and said camshaft, a pump, conduits leading from said pump to the rebearings,k thelowermost of ceptacles in the body portion of said engine and to thereceptacles in said crank casing, and conduits to return the oil to saidpump, whereby the circulation of oil is maintained.

16. In an engine, a body portion having a plurality of receptacles inthe upper portion thereof, cylinders having ports, valves to control therespective ports, actuating devices for said valves, a cam shaftjournaled on said body portion, cams mounted on said cam shaft,extending into said receptacles and in engagement with the respectivevalve-actuating devices, pistons mounted in said cylinder-san engineshaft, piston rods connecting said pistons with shaft, splashers carriedby said at their point of connection with said engine shaft, a crankcasing inclosing said engine shaft and the connected portions of saidpiston rod, a crank casing having a plurality of transversely extendingreceptacles arranged in alinement with 'the respective piston rods,splashers carried by said piston rods and adapted to enter saidreceptacles, a well arranged beneath said crank casing, said crankcasing having overflow ports to deliver the oil from said receptacles tosaid well, a "pump, a pipe leading from said pump to the receptacles inthe body portion of said engine, a distributing pipe arranged saidengine `Within said cra-nk casing, connected with said pipe and arrangedto deliver oil tothe respective receptacles in said crank casing, andconduits leading from the receptacles in said body portion and from saidwell to said pump.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RAYMOND C. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

WITMEYER, W. G. CAMPBELL.

piston rods

